Community Banner Joy – Everyone Belongs

Photo: Courtesy Manning River Times

I cherish these past two days of weave joy. Meeting lots of people, touching a core of my community and hearing about different life experiences of the people who make up our town. We invited anyone who came into the Greater Taree City Library for the Harmony Day celebrations to contribute to a Saori woven banner themed with our unique environment. One banner represented Beach/Sky and the other Forest/Valley. It was popular and I think it added a colourful vitality to the space. A way to stop and chat with others.
As a venue, you can’t beat the library. It is a real community hub space which includes a cafe, free wi fi, lounging areas and a light friendly colourful feel. I was providing the banner weaving in conjunction with the Living Library event. Over several days we were able to “borrow” a person and ask them questions about their life. The Living ‘Books’ came from a range of cultural backgrounds and we were able to open that door to others which is often closed and not available to us. The event provided an open invitation to all and fits with the chosen theme of the event; “everyone belongs‘.

Two banners completed over 2 days of community weaving.

Both projects were a fantastic way to build conversations with others and I rather think it would be nice applied to other contexts where understanding can be challenging. Politics maybe! Well perhaps not…But even the most ‘ordinary’ of us have unique and interesting stories to tell to others about our experiences in life. Whether we use conversation or weaving cloth with our hands, it provides an excuse for us to connect in some way.

Special thanks to the Migrant Settlement Project and Greater Taree City Library. Thank you Jane, Anke and Danielle for your support and friendship over the two days.  The banners will be presented to both organisations next week!

Media:

Manning River Times – Weaving project underway

Prime 7 News: 19 March 2014

 

2 thoughts on “Community Banner Joy – Everyone Belongs

  • March 20, 2014 at 3:37 pm
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    Congratulations on a great project Kaz and on spreading the Weaving Word!! jj

  • March 20, 2014 at 4:14 pm
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    You’re famous now! (Or again??)

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